Peter wrote:
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. (1 Peter 2:11-16.)
Christians are peculiar people. We are to be different in some respects from the world in words, dress and lifestyle. We are to “…live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:12-14.) Observe that the expression “zealous of good works” describes “a peculiar people.” Thus, we are to be peculiar by being zealous of good works.” This should make us stand out from the world. The good works we do, whether as individuals or as a congregation, are not to be done just to be seen of men, nor for the purpose of receiving something in return. Jesus said:
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. (Luke 6:31-35.)
Though we appreciate those who return to thank us, we can learn from our heavenly Father who is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. To be grateful is not enough; we must express our gratitude. We are grateful to the God of heaven and earth for the blessings he continues to bestow upon us daily; however, God expects us to express our thankfulness (Luke 17:11-19; Phil.4:6; Col. 3:17; 4:21 Tim. 2:1-2; 2 Tim.3:2.) A few years ago I was officiating a basketball little league on Saturday mornings. It was an instructional league for second graders. One particular boy after each of his game that season would come up and thank me for having officiated his game. I know that he was being taught that by his parents. Expressing gratitude must be taught. We need not be like the hog that never looks up to see from where the acorns fall. I see parents in this congregation teaching their children to thank others for what they do for them. When was the last time you thanked the teacher, preacher, song leader or one who has led a prayer in services?
The above text mentions that good works are valuable for three reasons. Did you notice them? I alluded to two of them in last week’s article. First, some who speak evil of us may, by our good works which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:12.) They see something in us that causes them to want to obey the Lord as well. As I had pointed out, this is along the same vein as our Lord’s words: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16.)
“The day of visitation” is a reference to the judgment day in which all men will be judged. In our Lord’s discourse of pending doom on Jerusalem, he referred to “those days,” not the day. (Matt. 24:19, 22, 29.) The expression “the last day” is not the same as the last days. Jesus made a clear distinction between “those days” and “that day and hour.” (Matt. 24:36.) He knew when Jerusalem would be destroyed for he gave the signs to his disciples, but he did not know when his second coming would be (Mark 13:32.) If both “those days” and “that day and hour” were the same, he would have known the latter. The word “visitation” translates a Greek word which means “…that act by which God looks into and searches out the ways, deeds, character, of men, in order to adjudge them their lot accordingly, whether joyous or sad; inspection, investigation, visitation…” (Thayer's Greek lexicon.)
We are being told that the judgment scene depicted in Matthew 25 has already occurred. This is not true for a number of reasons: (1) We are still here; (2) All nations were not gathered before his throne in A.D. 70; (3) those present could not change their destiny (25:47). Peter was writing to those strangers scattered throughout the regions south of the Black Sea. The destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 was not the day of visitation that would come upon the recipients of this letter. It has not yet occurred. It is yet future, and will come to all (Acts 17:30-31; 2 Cor. 5:10.)
It is the will of God that we do well, which would include good works (1 Peter 2:15.) The judgment scene of Mathew 25:31-46 certainly emphasizes the importance of good works. We are to visit the sick and those in prison, as we have opportunity. We are to feed and clothe theneedy. Even a cup of cold water to another is a good work. (Matt. 10:42.) The good Samaritan saw a man in need; he had compassion on him and he helped him (Luke 10: 33-35.) Galatians 6:10 says, “As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially to them who are of the household of faith.” We are to practice pure and undefiled religion (James 1:27.)
Then, our good works will also put to silence those who may slander us. (1 Peter 2:15.) The word “silence” in the text means “to muzzle.” One cannot out talk, or out shout some people. However, one might silence them by his good works. My grandfather used to have a saying, “Don’t worry about the mule being blind; just hitch up the wagon and shake that line.” By which I suppose he meant, do not worry about some things, but go ahead.
THE INFORMER
August 23, 2015